Armaments Industry Collection

English women finishing a 9.2 shell, between c1915 and 1917. Creator: Bain News Service
English women finishing a 9.2 shell, between c1915 and 1917. Women workers inspecting 9.2 explosive shells in a factory during World War I.

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Section of the Warrior floating target, showing the hole made by the 600-pound shell and the displacement of the upper plate, 1864

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. 'The sight presented by the target when struck was very grand

Three generations: A.P. Kalganov with son and granddaughter; the last two work in the shops of the Zlatoust plant, 1910. Two men and a woman posed outdoors at the Zlatoust arms plant. A. P

Chimney of old Confederate Powder Works Mill, Augusta, Ga. between 1900 and 1910. Creator: Unknown
Chimney of old Confederate Powder Works Mill, Augusta, Ga. between 1900 and 1910

Hendrik Trip's Cannon Foundry in Julitabruk, Sweden, 1650-1675. Creator: Allart van Everdingen
Hendrik Trip's Cannon Foundry in Julitabruk, Sweden, 1650-1675

The Gun Factory, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Gun Factory, 1917

Jacobus Trip (1627-70), Armaments Dealer of Amsterdam and Dordrecht, 1647-1670. Creator: Bartholomeus van der Helst
Jacobus Trip (1627-70), Armaments Dealer of Amsterdam and Dordrecht, 1647-1670

Shops, U.S. Armory, Springfield, Mass. between 1900 and 1920. Creator: Unknown
Shops, U.S. Armory, Springfield, Mass. between 1900 and 1920

Visites de M Albert Thomas aux usines de guerre, 1916. Creator: Unknown
Visites de M Albert Thomas aux usines de guerre; M Albert Thomas devant le panorama d'une grande usine de guerre surgie du sol en huit mois: la nouvelle poudrerie de Toulouse, 1916

Visites de M Albert Thomas aux usines de guerre; l'Exposition lyonnaise, 1914 (1916). Creator: Unknown
Visites de M Albert Thomas aux usines de guerre; Aux ateliers de l'Exposition lyonnaise de 1914: le sous-secretaire d'Etat aux munitions parlant aux ouvriers du haut d'une tribune decoree

Getting ready to hoist a mounted gun, in Washington Navy Yard(?), 1903. Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
Getting ready to hoist a mounted gun, in Washington Navy Yard(?), 1903

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: naval practice with a 100-pounder, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: naval practice with a 100-pounder, 1862. British sailors firing a cannon. From "Illustrated London News", 1862

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: casting the shot and shell for 100... 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: casting the shot and shell for 100 pounders, 1862. In viewing the manner in which the work is carried out in the various branches of the Royal

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the guns at the proof-butts, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the guns at the proof-butts, 1862.... to fire a piece of ordnance...by the ordinary method of a man pulling a friction-tube while others are

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: finish-turning a 100-pounder, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: finish-turning a 100-pounder, 1862. The gun, being now completely built up, is carried to a lathe for the purpose of being finish-turned

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the beehive, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: the beehive, 1862. This is the upper floor of a two-storied building upwards of 200ft. in length and 60ft

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle... 1862 Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle Association watching the target, 1862

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: welding the coil, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: welding the coil, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: coiling the bars, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: coiling the bars, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: drawing down and welding the... 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Manufacture of the Armstrong Gun at Woolwich Arsenal: drawing down and welding the bars previous to coiling, 1862. An Armstrong gun was a uniquely designed type of rifled breech-loading field

Finishing shells at Woolwich Arsenal, 1862. Creator: W Thomas
Finishing shells at Woolwich Arsenal, 1862. Exertions are continued at Woolwich to supply munitions of war to the British possessions in North America...The splendid shell foundry is capable of

Interior of U.S. gun shop, Washington Navy Yard, 1903. Creator: Frances Benjamin Johnston
Interior of U.S. gun shop, Washington Navy Yard, 1903

Trade Card Bearing the Name of the Late Gunmaker John Knubley (1750-1795), ca. 17... ca. 1795-1804. Creator: Anon
Trade Card Bearing the Name of the Late Gunmaker John Knubley (1750-1795), ca. 1795-1804

Trade Card of the Gunmaker Samuel Brunn (active 1795-1820), 1797-1803. 1797-1803. Creator: Anon
Trade Card of the Gunmaker Samuel Brunn (active 1795-1820), 1797-1803

English women munitions workers assembling fuses (b / w photo)
3626906 English women munitions workers assembling fuses (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: English women munitions workers assembling fuses)

The Armour Plate Press, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Armour Plate Press, 1917

In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
In the Jaws of Death, Rolling Bars for Shells, 1916

The Biggest Lathe in the World, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Biggest Lathe in the World, 1917

Cutting and Turning a Big Gun, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Cutting and Turning a Big Gun, 1916

Steel Bars for Shells, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Steel Bars for Shells, 1916

The Old Gun-Pit, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Old Gun-Pit, 1916

The Cauldrons, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Cauldrons, 1916

The Little Men of the Big Hammer, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Little Men of the Big Hammer, 1917

Making Rifles, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Making Rifles, 1917

The Bay of the Thousand Girls, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Bay of the Thousand Girls, 1916

The Basilica of War, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Basilica of War, 1916

The Big Gate of the Big Shop, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Big Gate of the Big Shop, 1916

By-Products, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
By-Products, 1916

The Great Hammer, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Great Hammer, 1916

Finishing Shells, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Finishing Shells, 1916

Casting Shells, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Casting Shells, 1917

Gun-Testing, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Gun-Testing, 1916

The Gun Shop, 1916. Creator: Joseph Pennell
The Gun Shop, 1916

Shell Factory, No. I, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Shell Factory, No.I, 1917

Shaping a Gun from an Ingot, 1917. Creator: Joseph Pennell
Shaping a Gun from an Ingot, 1917

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"The Evolution of the Armaments Industry: A Historical Journey Through Trade Cards and Photographs" Step back in time with us as we explore the captivating world of the armaments industry. From trade cards bearing the names of renowned gunmakers like John Knubley and Samuel Brunn, to black and white photographs capturing English women munitions workers assembling fuses, these artifacts provide a glimpse into an industry that has shaped history. In 18th-century Britain, skilled craftsmen like John Knubley were revered for their expertise in creating firearms. The trade card bearing his name serves as a testament to his legacy, reminding us of the craftsmanship that laid the foundation for future advancements. Fast forward to the late 18th century and early 19th century when Samuel Brunn made his mark on the industry. His trade card showcases his dedication to innovation, hinting at new developments that would revolutionize weaponry. As we delve deeper into history, we encounter powerful images captured by Joseph Pennell during World War I. In one photograph titled "The Armour Plate Press, " we witness immense machinery used in manufacturing armored plates - a symbol of technological progress amidst conflict. Pennell's "In the Jaws of Death" transports us to a munitions factory where women diligently assemble fuses. Their contribution during wartime highlights not only their resilience but also how industries adapted to meet increased demand. "The Biggest Lathe in the World" reveals another facet of this ever-evolving industry - massive machines capable of shaping metal into formidable weapons. This image reminds us that size mattered when it came to producing arms efficiently on an industrial scale. From cutting and turning big guns to forging steel bars for shells, Pennell's photographs capture various stages within armament production processes. These images showcase both human labor and mechanization working hand-in-hand towards military might. Yet amidst all this power lies poignant reminders of sacrifice.